Opiliaceae Valeton

Family Description

Distribution Map

List of Genera

Photographs

Agonandra

1. Agonandra brasiliensis
   
   • A series of photos from Atrium, biodiversity information system.
     
   • Photo. Zappi, D.C. 2044 - Brazil: Minas Gerais. Link goes to Neotropical Plants image database at Kew.
   • Photo.  Bark.  Brazil: Minas Gerais. Link goes to Neotropical Plants image database at Kew.
   • Line drawing. Link goes to TROPICOS.
     
2. Agonandra excelsa
   • Plant with flowers, Ecuador. Photo by C. Dodson, (no. 9634). Link goes to TROPICOS database, MO.
   • Series of photos of this species.  Link goes to Flora Digital RS, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
3. Agonandra macrocarpa
   • Habit of this parasitic tree. Santa Rosa N.P., Costa Rica. [DLN 2764]. Photo by D. L. Nickrent.
   • Stem showing cauliflory. Same as above. Photo by D. L. Nickrent.
   • Male inflorescences. Same as above. Photo by D. L. Nickrent.
   • Staminate flowers. Same as above. Photo by D. L. Nickrent.
   • Photos of plant in flower and fruit.  Nueva Segovia region, Nicaragua.  Photos 24 May 2011 (Stevens, W D 31783). Link goes to Flora of the World.
4. Agonandra peruviana
   
   • A series of photos from Atrium, biodiversity information system.
5. Agonandra racemosa
   • One view and another of the inflorescences on leafy shoots. 1km E of Barra de la Cruz towards Playa, Mexico. From the Virtual Field Herbarium. Photo by Colin E. Hughes (specimen no. 1926).
   • Bark of tree, with cut. Same as above. Photo by Colin E. Hughes.
6. Agonandra sylvatica
   • Photos.  Plant in fruit and with young flowers. Link goes to Atrium, biodiversity information system
   • Illustration, from A, E, Krukoff 9006; B-D, Silva 1348; F, G, L.B.B. 11195; H, I, Loubry s.n. A. Twig with male inflorescence. B. Young male inflorescence. C. Bracteole of a flower from B. D. Adaxial view of a bract. E. Male flower. F. Group of 3 female flowers after anthesis, only one tepal left. G. tepal of a female flower. H. Drupe. I. Drupe, longitudinally cut in half (from Flora of the Guianas 14, 1993). Fig. 13, from Hiepko (2000, Flora Neotropica Monograph 82).
   • Photos. Click the forward button below the image to see more photos. D. Sasaki et al. 1432 - Brazil: Mato Grosso. Link goes to Neotropical Plants image database at Kew.

Anthobolus (previously in Santalaceae)

1. Anthobolus filifolius
   • Herbarium specimen, Missouri Botanical Gardens (MO).
   • Photos.  Link goes to Australian Parasitic Plants by Roger Fryer and Jill Newland.
2. Anthobolus foveolatus
   • Composite photograph, from FloraBase, the Western Australian Flora. Photos by D. & B. Bellairs and M. Kealley.
3. Anthobolus leptomerioides
   • Habit of plant. 40 miles NW of Mt. Patricia, Central Australia. Plant parasitic on Acacia coriacea, in Triodia pungens association. Photo by G. Chippendale, in Stauffer (1959, Santalales Studien IV).
   • Close-up of flowers and fruits. Northwest Territory, Australia. Photo by Dave Albrecht.
   • Composite photograph, from FloraBase, the Western Australian Flora. Photos by C. Campbell.
   • Photos.  Link goes to Australian Parasitic Plants by Roger Fryer and Jill Newland.

Cansjera

1. Cansjera leptostachya
   • Vegetative specimen. Queensland, Australia. [DLN 2815] Photo by D. L. Nickrent.
   •  Flowering shoots. Trinity Beach, N of Cairns, Queensland, Australia. [DLN 4454] Photo by D. L. Nickrent.
   • Photos. Link goes to Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants.
2. Cansjera rheedei
   • Young shrub with spiny stem growing in an inclined position. SE-Thailand, Rayong prov., Ban Phe. Photo by P. Hiepko.
   • Spiny stem. SE-Thailand, Rayong prov., Ban Phe. Photo by P. Hiepko.
   • Older stem of the liana, spines teat-like through secondary growth. SE-Thailand, Rayong prov., Ban Phe. Photo by P. Hiepko.
   • Inflorescence and young fruit. SE-Thailand, Rayong prov., Ban Phe (Geesink & Hiepko 7831). Photo by P. Hiepko.
   • Fruit. SE-Thailand, Rayong prov., Ban Phe. Photo by P. Hiepko.
   • Small white stem of the liana to the right of the tree (cf. fig. 3). SE-Thailand, Rayong prov., Ban Phe. Photo by P. Hiepko. (For more information on C. rheedei, see P. Hiepko & H.C. Weber in Willdenowia 8: 351-362. 1978).
   • A series of nice photos of this species.  Photos by Stanley Sze. Link goes to HKWildlife.net in China. 
   • Photos. Flowers and fruiting shoots. Karikale, North Karnataka & Nagla Bundar, Maharashtra, India. Photos by Prashant Awale. Link goes to Flowers of India.

Champereia

1. Champereia manillana
   • Inflorescence with bisexual flowers, Inflorescences on the main trunk of the treelet, Female inflorescences with young fruits. SE-Thailand, Rayong prov., Ban Phe (Geesink & Hiepko 7823). Photo by P. Hiepko.
   • Illustration. 1 and 2, bisexual flower, 3 female flower, 4 female flowers, two tepals removed (1 & 2 from Geesink & Hiepko 7823; 3 & 4 from Hiepko 364). Fig. 1, from Hiepko (1979, Willdenowia 9:13-56).
   • Photos. Flowers and fruits. Taiwan.  Photos by Mingiweng. Link goes to Flickr.
   • Fruits. McRitchie Nature Trail, Central Catchment Nature Preserve, Singapore. Photo by Orang Asli. Link goes to Flickr.
     
   • Photo. The leaves of chemperai are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Malaysia.  Photos by Norisah. Link goes to Flickr.
   • Photos.  A page with a series of good photos of this species. Photos taken 17 February 2010 by Kwan.  Link goes to the NatureLoveYou web site in Singapore.
     

Gjellerupia

1. Gjellerupia papuana
   • Illustration. 1 twig with infructescence, 2 male flower, 3 bract from a male inflorescence, 4 female flower, one tepal and one stamen removed (1 from Darbyshire & Hoogland 8232; 2 from Gjellerup 170; 3 from Kostermans & Soegeng 266; 4 from Kostermans & Soegeng 390). Fig. 13, from Hiepko (1979, Willdenowia 9:13-56).

Lepionurus

1. Lepionurus sylvestris
   • Excellent photos of inflorescences, Link goes to Malaysia Plants website.
   • Great photos of the plant by Wee Foon Ang, Link goes to Flickr.
     
   • Young inflorescence. Peninsular Thailand, Ranong, Klong Naka (Geesink, Hiepko & Phengklai 7567). Photo by P. Hiepko.
   • Inflorescence. Thailand, Chumpon province, Tha Sae, Kapo Waterfall (Williams 1252). Photo by Kyle Williams.
   • Inflorescence and mature fruits. Thailand, Chumpon province, Tha Sae, Kapo Waterfall (Williams 1252). Photo by Kyle Williams.
   • Mature flowers of plant in cultivation. Native to India to Malaysia. Photograph by Wolfgang Forsteuter, published in "World of Plants" article by Mitsuru Hirota (Weekly Asahihyakka, Jan. 22, 1995).
   • Illustration. A: two flowers of a triad, one just opened, B: bract, C: LS of flower (all from Nicolson 3072). Fig. 15, from Hiepko (1979, Willdenowia 9:13-56).

Melientha

1. Melientha suavis
   
   • Habit of the tree, leaves, and fruiting branches.  From the Melientha suavis page on Local Vegetables of Thailand web site, sponsored by JIRCAS (Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences).
   • Young plant in vegetative condition. The leaves are used as food in Thailand.  From the Friends of Salakphra website (the first wildlife sanctuary in Thailand).
   • Flowering branch, from Medicinal Plants in Nakhonratchasima Province website.
   • Illustration. 1 part of a female inflorescence, 2 female flower, two tepals removed, 3 LS of a male flower bud, 4 male flower, the stamens removed, 5 male flower (1, 2 & 3 from Put 666; 4 & 5 from Maxwell 75-70). Fig. 5, from Hiepko (1979, Willdenowia 9:13-56).
   • Illustration. Modified from Pierre, L., 1884-1895. Flore forestiere de la Cochinchine, vol. 3: t. 264 , fig. B [Drawing by E. Delpy]. From www.plantillustrations.org HERE.
2. Melientha sp.
   • Herbarium specimen from Thailand, housed at Missouri Botanical Garden.

Opilia

1. Opilia amentacea
   • Pre-flowering individual. Queensland, Australia. [DLN 2809] Photo by D. L. Nickrent.
   • Stem of the liana. Kenya, Kiambu Distr., Karura forest. Photo by P. Hiepko.
   • Branch with young inflorescences. Kenya, Kiambu Distr., Karura forest (Hiepko 2623). Photo by P. Hiepko.
   • Fruits. Quarry north of Mutoko, Zimbabwe. From the Flora of Zimbabwe web site. Photo by Mark A. Hyde
   • Illustration. A group of 3 flowers in the axil of a fallen bract, one stamen of the opened central flower cut off. B bract, adaxial view. C infructescence with 2 drupes (from spirit coll.). D left: drupe cut in half, seed removed; right: seed, cut in half. E twig with young inflorescence (A, B FHI 23979; C, D Warnecke 307; E Stolz 1512). Fig 2, from Hiepko (1982, Willdenowia 12:161-182).
   • Shoots with flowers and fruits, shoot with fruit, fruits cut transversely, close-up of fruit X.S. Jaagbo (Chinfoyiri) Sacred Grove in Tolon-Kumbugu District on Tolon - Daboya road; about 25km from Tamale. Ghana.. From Virtual Field Herbarium, Department of Plant Sciences, Oxford (site not active). Photo P. Ekpe/NSBP.
   • Shoots with young inflorescences. Species given as O. celtidifolia (a synonym acc. to Hiepko). From Plants of Africa, Mt. Kenya Rainforest. Photo by Richard  Spjut.
   • Photos. Link goes to Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants.
2. Opilia campestris
   • Habit. Kenya, Masai Distr. (Hiepko 2608). Photo by P. Hiepko.
   • Fruit. Kenya, Masai Distr. (Hiepko 2608). Photo by P. Hiepko.

Pentarhopalopilia

1. Pentarhopalopilia marquesii
   • Illustration. A, inflorescence, some flowers removed; B, bract, side view; C, bracteole, abaxial view; D, P. madagascariensis: inflorescence with persistent bracts; E, P. perrieri: young inflorescence on a short shoot, with basal leaf; F, G, P. umbellulata: F, flower, pedicel cut; G, flower just after anthesis (A-C, Gosswiler 8547; D, Capuron 23239-SF; E, Capuron 27963-SF; F, G, Faulkner 2390). Fig. 4, from Hiepko (1985, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 107:137-152).
2. Pentarhopalopilia perrieri
   • Photos Plant in fruit. Village Tortues (Turtle Village) near Ifaty, Prov. Toliara, Madagascar. Link goes to Flora of the World.
     
3. Pentarhopalopilia umbellulata
   • Base of main stem with two whorls of stolons creeping on the soil. Kenya, Kwale Distr. (Hiepko & Robertson 2634), (see P. Hiepko in Bot. Janrb. Syst. 108: 271-291. 1987). Photo by P. Hiepko.
4. Pentarhopalopilia madagascariensis
   • Series of photos showing flowering and fruiting shoots. Antsiranana, Madagascar. Photos by G. E. Schatz (Schatz et al. 4296). Link goes to TROPICOS.
   • Young plants in cultivation at the QMM botanical garden. From the Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford - Some Plants Found in the Fort Dauphin Region, Madagascar.

Rhopalopilia

1. Rhopalopilia pallens
   • Illustration. A, inflorescence just before anthesis of the apical flower, bracts, bracteoles fallen, some flowers removed; B, flower after anthesis, longitudinally cut in half; C, tepal and attached stamen; D, flower, front tepal and stamen removed (A, B Mildbraed 3644; C, D, Klaine 1800). Fig. 2, from Hiepko (1985, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 107:137-152).
   • Photos.  Plant in fruit. Village of Antsira, Mangily-Tananasokatra Private Nature Reserve, Madagascar.  Link goes to Flora of the World.

Urobotrya

1. Urobotrya congolana
   • Flowering shoots. Mt. Cameroon. Photograph by Martin Cheek [MC et al. 3947], December 1993.
2. Urobotrya latisquama
   
   • Photos.  Plant in flower and fruit. Ma Rong Cave, Prachuap Khiri Khan Prov., Thailand.  Link goes to Flora of the World.
3. Urobotrya siamensis
   • Branch with young and flowering inflorescences. Central Thailand, Saraburi, Sahm Lahn forest (Geesing, Hiepko & Maxwell 7807). Photo by P. Hiepko.
   • Young fruits. Central Thailand, Saraburi, Sahm Lahn forest (Geesing, Hiepko & Maxwell 7807). Photo by P. Hiepko.
   • More or less ripe fruits. Central Thailand, Saraburi, Sahm Lahn forest (Geesing, Hiepko & Maxwell 7807). Photo by P. Hiepko.
   • Inflorescences and fruits. From from Medicinal Plants in Nakhonratchasima Province website.
   • Illustration. 1 two young inflorescences, 2 bract, side view, 3 bract, 4 group of sclerenchymatic cells from a bract, 5 flower bud, 6 flower, one stamen cut off, 7 pistil and disc after flowering, 8 fruit, 8 LS of seed (1-7 from Soeresen, Larsen & hansen 6625, type; 8 from Kerr 7990; 9 from Collins 1986). Fig. 9, from Hiepko (1979, Willdenowia 9:13-56).

Phylogeny

For a molecular phylogeny of Santalaceae sensu lato and Opiliaceae, see Der and Nickrent (2008): HERE.

A molecular phylogeny of the entire order Santalales, see Su et al. 2015) HERE.

References